Does Christmas feel overwhelming instead of joyful during menopause?

In this festive solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter talks honestly about why Christmas can feel especially hard during perimenopause and menopause. We're breaking down how you can protect your energy, mood, and wellbeing during the most pressured time of year.

From navigating family dynamics and emotional overload, to letting go of comparison and unrealistic expectations fuelled by social media, Naomi offers reassurance, perspective and practical advice. She also reflects on the year gone by and shares a heartfelt Christmas message with listeners.

💬 Topics include:

• Why Christmas stress can hit harder during menopause

• Managing family expectations and emotional overwhelm

• Letting go of comparison and “perfect Christmas” pressure

• Simple ways to protect your energy and wellbeing

• A reflective end-of-year message and Christmas wishes

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:04 – Coping with festive overwhelm during menopause

02:10 – Alcohol, sugar and sleep: why Christmas worsens menopause symptoms

03:27 – Comparing your Christmas to social media perfection

04:14 – Weight gain fears and letting go of Christmas guilt

05:15 – Managing HRT, prescriptions and travel over the holidays

05:39 – Handling unsympathetic family members at Christmas

07:08 – Menopausal rage, irritation and family tension at Christmas

08:33 – Creating space, setting boundaries and protecting your wellbeing

08:56 – Christmas message and reflection on the year ahead

#menopause #perimenopause #christmas

Struggling to juggle menopause symptoms and family life? You’re not alone.

In this special compilation episode, Dr Naomi Potter brings together powerful moments from past guests who’ve shared the realities of parenting through perimenopause and menopause. If you've ever found yourself losing your temper amid menopausal rage, or you're unsure how to communicate to your kids that you're going through some changes, there is no need to feel alone.

This episode sheds light on the stories and experiences that most mums can relate to – and offers some helpful tips for those in the thick of it.

💬 Topics include:

• Why parenting can feel harder during perimenopause

• Real stories from mums navigating symptoms + family demands

• How to communicate needs with partners, kids and teens

• Practical coping tools for overwhelming days

• What support actually helps — emotionally and physically

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Parenting and menopause: why the struggle feels so real

00:25 – Talking to kids about your menopause symptoms

00:53 – How to explain hormonal changes to teenagers

01:35 – Why timing matters when discussing menopause with your children

01:52 – How to answer teens’ questions about perimenopause

02:51 – Reassuring teenage girls about future menopause symptoms

03:30 – Normalising menopause for the next generation

03:54 – When your child’s age triggers unresolved memories

04:58 – Understanding anxiety and emotional triggers in menopause

05:19 – The link between postnatal depression, PMS and menopause mood changes

06:17 – Why mums snap: identifying anger triggers and unmet needs

07:11 – How to recognise your early signs of anger

07:56 – Parenting teens during peak perimenopause

08:44 – Balancing work, caring responsibilities and menopause

09:31 – How anxiety and loss of confidence show up in midlife

10:41 – Finding support from other menopausal women

11:06 – What exercise snacking is and why it helps busy mums

12:23 – Making movement accessible during parenting and menopause

12:48 – Picking your battles: managing conflict with young children

13:51 – Where to find more support from Dr Naomi Potter

Listen to the full episode with:

Stacey Duguid: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dgl8cSiJPxrqd6PAxIfHb?si=YSlfSKgHTf-07DcMjQLx4A

Kate Lawler: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eSbAVhA0ymFYWkGWzV5QP?si=N89k0ce9QE6kFVvFmw7LKg

Kate Silverton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Qn172LZSPkAMHfoVKvvgb?si=yHf1wmBWQkGHjRG-E_C84g

Lou Featherstone: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pje5DvRy7rUoc3eyvJfSN?si=Sm5FBC5MSZiz8WRIom4aVQ

Zoe Blaskey: https://open.spotify.com/episode/77B1G47a255EwkzQAsui96?si=kwFAL89SRQe4ZuBOM3hnrg

Lorraine Candy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oPlBmuiw0mI7yPEU3Ez6Z?si=oZpjkeoITnOk52Hyb1zInA

Kate Varah: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0045i47VBpjHvdotZipA7c?si=1ux-Gbx-SO2BU259sfL3LQ

Lavina Mehta: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UNeIYs6QhMFTjTqnSU1pk?si=N6-7rBbCRzmpRU__PF2gSA

Louise Boyce: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HLr6inTWAtJS9OkEVsMkx?si=ZgpltgF3TemhmOTVazBwhw

#menopause #naomipotter #perimenopause

Why does menopause make so many women feel anxious and overwhelmed?

In this week’s solo episode, Dr Naomi Potter breaks down the science behind menopause-related anxiety – and what you can do to feel calm and in control again.

From understanding why hormonal shifts can trigger anxiety, to recognising when something else might be going on, Naomi offers clear, compassionate, practical guidance. She also explains the treatments and lifestyle tools that genuinely help. If you can relate to this topic of anxiety in menopause, we hope this episode helps you to feel more grounded, supported, and you again.

💬 Topics include:

• Why anxiety is so common in perimenopause and menopause

• How to tell if your anxiety is hormonal or something else

• The surprising ways menopausal anxiety can show up

• Evidence-based treatments that actually work

• What you can start doing today to ease anxiety

Follow Is It Hot In Here? on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Naomi Potter:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Why anxiety is so common in perimenopause

00:33 – How menopause anxiety shows up physically and emotionally

01:19 – Night-time anxiety and waking panic explained

01:38 – Palpitations in menopause: when to worry

02:13 – Situational anxiety: driving, public speaking and daily triggers

02:36 – Why menopause anxiety fluctuates with no clear pattern

02:56 – Can menopause anxiety be treated?

03:23 – Hormonal causes of anxiety: oestrogen, progesterone and the brain

03:54 – The “perfect storm” of midlife stress and hormonal change

04:20 – Does past anxiety predict menopause anxiety?

04:42 – Sudden anxiety in your 40s and why it’s often hormonal

05:07 – Lifestyle triggers that worsen menopause anxiety

05:26 – Hidden sources of caffeine that fuel anxiety

05:58 – How alcohol increases menopause anxiety

06:21 – How exercise helps reduce anxiety symptoms

06:46 – Diet changes that support menopause anxiety

07:16 – Non-medical anxiety treatments: CBT, hypnotherapy and more

07:41 – Medical treatment options: HRT and non-hormonal therapies

08:04 – Beta blockers for managing menopause anxiety

08:31 – Antidepressants for menopause anxiety: who they help

08:53 – Herbal supplements for anxiety: magnesium, vitamin D, ashwagandha

09:23 – How progesterone in HRT affects anxiety

10:06 – Understanding your response to oestrogen and progesterone

10:29 – First steps to take if you have menopause anxiety

10:59 – Listener question: does testosterone affect anxiety?

11:59 – Will HRT help with anxiety in menopause?

12:46 – Nutrition and the gut–brain axis in menopause anxiety

13:18 – Final advice for women with menopause anxiety

13:45 – Where to find more support from Dr Naomi Potter

If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy our conversation about nutritional advice in menopause with Dr Megan Rossi: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3zhZ4EoIkSbhQHPOAT5GCR?si=yZ_6UFLVRPm3y0G42F6DHQ

#menopause #anxiety #perimenopause

What can we do about hair and skin changes in menopause?

In this week’s episode, dermatologist Dr Archana Rao joins Dr Naomi Potter to break down the real science behind menopausal skin and hair changes. Archana is THE expert when it comes to hair and skin specifically in menopause, so you're in perfect hands!

From explaining why exactly these changes happen, to outlining the habits and products that can help (and the fads to avoid!), we hope this episode makes you feel more seen and less alone. Hair and skin changes can be distressing. But given the correct information and the right tools, there are things that can be done.

💬 Topics include:

• Why skin becomes drier, thinner or more reactive

• How hormones affect collagen, elasticity & pigmentation

• Thinning hair, shedding & pattern changes: what’s normal?

• The ingredients that genuinely work (and what to skip)

• When to see a dermatologist — and what treatments help most

• Affordable routines for healthier midlife skin & hair

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr Archana Rao below:

Archana's Instagram: @dr_archana_r_rao

Archana's website: https://drarchanarao.com/

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Meet Dr Archana Rao: dermatologist specialising in menopause

01:14 – Why menopause needs its own dermatology

02:04 – Thinning hair in perimenopause

03:26 – Hair changes: flags not to ignore

05:11 – Receding hairline & eyebrow loss

06:48 – “Menopause shampoos” fact checked

09:12 – Shedding vs thinning hair

10:43 – Minoxidil – everything you need to know

13:26 – Why midlife hormones hit your hair so hard

15:07 – HRT, testosterone & hair

19:27 – Supplements for your hair

23:08 – Your evidence-based hair routine in menopause

24:11 – Menopause & skin changes

25:51 – The ideal midlife skin routine

27:10 – What will wreck your menopausal skin

28:48 – Daily SPF as anti-ageing

29:41 – Adult acne in perimenopause

32:29 – Rosacea triggers in midlife

37:22 – How to look your best in menopause

40:43 – Dr Rao’s go-to moisturisers & final advice

If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy our conversation about gaining confidence during menopause with self love expert Lou Featherstone: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pje5DvRy7rUoc3eyvJfSN?si=T6LMn8nYRMi2_oLxfcN6Cw

#skincare #haircare #menopause

When Menopause Feels Overwhelming: Understanding the Mental Health Impact

Viewer discretion: this episode does contain mention of suicide.

Today, Dr Naomi Potter tackles one of the most misunderstood – and under-discussed – aspects of menopause: the severe emotional distress many women experience.

Naomi explains why hormonal changes can push women to emotional breaking points, what the data actually tells us, and what to do if you are feeling hopeless.

This conversation alone does not equate to medical help. We created this episode first and foremost because we want to shed light on a tough topic many people aren't prepared to talk about.

If you can relate to this episode and are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call:

NHS on 111

The Samaritans on 116 123

Or ask your GP for an emergency appointment

In an emergency:

Call 999 for an ambulance

💬 Topics include:

• Why some women experience severe emotional symptoms in menopause

• How hormones affect mood, resilience, and mental wellbeing

• The real data on emotional distress during perimenopause

• Early warning signs to look out for

• What to do if everything feels “too much”

• Where and how to seek safe, confidential help

• Treatments that can support both mood and hormone balance

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – When despair hits in menopause

00:31 – Why these feelings matter

01:04 – Urgent help for severe menopause symptoms

01:56 – Treatments that can ease emotional overwhelm

02:26 – How doctors assess mental health in perimenopause

02:48 – How common intrusive thoughts are in menopause

03:20 – How hormones affect mood in perimenopause

04:12 – Why early menopause impacts mental wellbeing

04:45 – Hormonal mood changes vs mental health conditions

05:37 – Why getting help can feel so hard

06:41 – How loved ones can support you

07:04 – Why recovery from symptoms takes time

07:52 – Why this phase of menopause won’t last forever

08:16 – When to seek immediate help

08:43 – Why you shouldn’t wait

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter

Feel like you've lost yourself in menopause? Don't worry, getting back on track doesn't need to be a gruelling task.

In this deeply honest conversation, broadcaster, Big Brother winner, and fellow podcaster Kate Lawler joins Dr Naomi Potter to talk about the emotional and physical toll of menopause. Kate opens up candidly about her fear of taking HRT, the whirlwind of menopause symptoms she's trying to keep at bay, how she wishes she could "give my husband the wife he married back" and so much more.

If you have also felt like a hormonal mess with no idea what to fix first, this episode will be an absolute game-changer for you.

💬 Topics include:

• Kate’s personal journey through perimenopause

• The fear and stigma surrounding HRT

• How hormone changes can impact relationships

• Losing (and rediscovering) your sense of identity

• Dr Naomi Potter’s advice for women feeling “not themselves”

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Kate Lawler below:

Kate's Instagram: @thekatelawler

Kate's TikTok: @thekatelawler

Kate's YouTube channel: ⁨@katelawlerofficial⁩

Kate's podcast Boj and Kate Have A Lot On Their Plate: https://linktr.ee/bojandkate?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnthf83MQB3QCQlYTqfqJKS2tjJiCSp5weC6KQE7FXsZw0lK5hfZK-punRLoE_aem_w6T5Dd2sv0lkhTOmCneO3Q&brid=twDZS9EANZGY80xeeatMAg

Follow her podcast on Instagram: @bogandkate

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

00:00 – Meet Kate Lawler

00:43 – Winning Big Brother

02:33 – Postnatal depression and motherhood

03:28 – Why Kate hid perimenopause (stigma, work, ageism)

04:45 – “I don’t feel like me”: perimenopause symptoms

06:59 – Mood swings, heavy periods, anxiety & brain fog

09:03 – The blood test that changed everything

10:35 – Early menopause warning at the fertility clinic

12:15 – Fear of HRT

13:31 – HRT and breast tenderness

16:24 – Health anxiety in perimenopause

18:10 – Real HRT risks

19:11 – Personalising HRT: oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone

22:13 – Can extra progesterone help with sleep and anxiety?

23:55 – Testosterone on the NHS

27:04 – Bone health in early menopause

28:57 – Balancing risks: breast cancer headlines vs heart & brain health

31:11 – Kate Lawler breaks down about perimenopause

35:44 – HRT patches vs gel

39:29 – Vaginal oestrogen

44:47 – Setting rest boundaries in midlife

51:02 – Why midlife women feel overwhelmed

56:05 – “Textbook perimenopause” vs depression

57:45 – Listener Questions

1:01:00 – Closing thoughts and next steps for Kate Lawler

#hrt #menopause #katelawler

Feel like you've lost yourself during menopause? Dr Naomi Potter runs through the key body changes you can expect – and what can be done about them.

From hair and skin shifts to muscle loss, fat redistribution, and that stubborn midlife weight gain, Naomi reveals why these changes occur (hello, hormone science). She also sheds light on what we can all do to protect your health, confidence, and longevity as your body evolves. Expect clear, practical, myth-busting advice from one of the UK’s leading menopause doctors.

💬 Topics include:

• The hormonal science behind midlife body changes

• Why metabolism slows — and what to do about it

• How menopause affects hair and skin

• The truth about muscle loss and fat gain

• Doctor-approved tips for rebuilding strength, energy, and confidence

Follow Is It Hot In Here? podcast on Instagram at @podcast_naomipotter

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – What happens to your body in menopause?

00:28 – Hair changes in menopause: thinning, breakage & growth

01:24 – Blood tests & nutrition for hair health

01:46 – Do hair products work? What you should (and shouldn’t) buy

03:09 – Skin changes in menopause: dryness, acne & sensitivity

04:29 – Simple skin fixes that work (and what doesn’t)

04:56 – Weight gain in menopause: why it happens

05:46 – Why fat moves to the belly (and what to do about it)

06:33 – Doctor’s tips to manage midlife weight gain

08:16 – Face & body changes: bone, fat & muscle loss

09:02 – Why it’s not ‘just vanity’ to care about your appearance

More info and menopause support at: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

#menopause #perimenopause #drnaomipotter

What happens when hormones collide with mental health?

In this week’s episode, journalist and author Bryony Gordon joins Dr Naomi Potter to talk candidly about navigating perimenopause while managing OCD, addiction recovery, and hormone sensitivity.

Bryony shares how the progesterone pill left her suicidal, why sobriety has been her superpower, and how she’s rebuilding her sense of self in midlife — proving that reinvention is always possible, no matter what stage you’re in.

Expect honesty, hope, and practical advice on how to protect your mental health through hormonal change.

💬 Topics include:

• How hormones can affect OCD, anxiety, and mood

• Why sobriety can make perimenopause easier (and harder)

• Understanding progesterone sensitivity

• How to spot when hormones are driving mental health issues

• Tips for self-care, support and midlife reinvention

Bryony's Instagram: @bryonygordon

Bryony's YouTube: @thelifeofbryony

Bryony's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-of-bryony/id1763828544

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

00:00 – Arrival by running!

01:38 – How a royal chat led Bryony to run the London Marathon

06:52 – Getting sober: rehab, 12-step & building a life without booze

10:00 – Alcohol cravings, socialising sober & what actually helps

17:35 – OCD explained: intrusive thoughts & the perimenopause trigger

22:25 – Anxiety or hormones? Speaking to Dr Naomi & trying HRT

23:19 – Oestrogen gel: relief within days (mood, energy, clarity)

24:39 – Progesterone crash: severe mood dip & finding a safer option

33:26 – The Mirena coil: why it worked when pills didn’t

41:59 – Midlife reframe: no periods, more power, new identity

48:20 – Brain fog & burnout: stress load, simple resets that work

55:55 – Q&A: sobriety, early menopause & pill-sensitivity worries

1:01:33 – Tools for hormone days, mindset shifts & sharks 🦈

#bryonygordon #ocd #menopause